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If you can't talk the talk, Lloyd, then write the scripts for the MVP sequels.Readers, buy the book "Goon" instead for real-life hockey experiences told as they happenend - blood, guts, and all. In keeping with the Mighty Ducks/Disney/Mickey Mouse squeaky-clean environment he works in, his words, even his direct quotes, are cleansed, leaving only adjectives along the lines of "making comments about my ancestors" as a euphemism for swearing, a phrase only my own ancestors used. As a recreational hockey player and avid hockey fan by night and publications editor by day, I found this book to be boring and over the top. His anecdotes about NHL enforcers are sanitized to a "Family Channel"- level style of writing, about as pointless and meaningless as an Eminem CD edited for Christian radio stations.
I was pleasantly suprised when I began reading about mascots, superstars, zambonis, goal judges, fans, referees and even arenas. By the time I finished, I had come to the conclusion that In the Bin is one of the greatest books to cover any sport, not just hockey. The variety of things Freeberg writes about caught me off gaurd. I was constantly being amuzed at the different stories he told, he has a great sence of humor and timing.
What can I say about this book. The diversity was not only entertaining, but enlightening as well.With stories of all types constructed with skill similar to that of Paul Kariya's stick handling, In the Bin delivers as much excitement as an overtime playoff goal. I thought that the book would focus only on penalty box incidents dealing primarily with goons from around the league. At first, I thought it was a good book.
Though the accompaning pictures are in black & white, they are superb. I loved every word of this book and I wouldn't hesitate to read another book by Freeberg, nor will I hesitate to suggest this book to anyone. As I read on, I began to accept the fact that it was a very good book. Just a truly amazing look at a few different angles of the game that we don't get to see very often.Lloyd Freeberg's writing style has more moves than a Mario Lemieux breakaway.
Lloyd Freeberg is an off-ice official. Everything from smuggling pucks to kicking the bucket where the pucks are kept to throwing chairs to insults is in this book--from first hand experience. Have you ever wondered what they say to each other and to the officials.
Read about his most embarrassing moment as an official, and his most dangerous times in the penalty box. I kept wanting to share everything I read with my family, and the book kept me laughing and wanting more. For Red Wing fans- there's a chapter on Kris Draper and one on Bob Probert (former Wing).
Have you ever wondered what it's like to sit in the "sin bin" with the players. There is even a chapter on some weird superstitions of hockey players. If your one of those fans who loves the fights and/or wonders what is said in the penalty boxes, this book is for you.
This book gets you into the sin bin without threatening your life. He has spent time in the penalty box with the likes of Bob Probert, Kris Draper and even Wayne Gretzky.
Great for hockey lovers. I bought this as a gift for a friend. He loves it, often quoting some of the stories in it.
Highly reccomended. I am really glad I picked it up, I kinda have a different view of the game and it's participants now. My boyfriend bought this book for himself and after hearing him laugh to the point of tears every time he opened it up, I decided to have a look. Freeberg painted a picture of hockey I had never really thought existed: a picture of real people and their lives and antics and mess ups and fall downs.
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